If for now we do know that almost all the Nexus devices (unfortunately the Samsung Galaxy Nexus will no longer receive OTA updates, so now KitKat here) will receive the official touch of Android 4.4 KitKat firmware, it is still unclear which handsets will be added by Google on the supported list. Fortunately for the HTC One X+ users, their devices will embrace the new OS too, as clues about an OTA update have been leaked. Anyway, for those who want to try the Android 4.4 firmware now, without waiting for the OTA release of the same, those of xda-developers had made available the Pure AOSP custom ROM.

So, as you can already tell, during this tutorial I will show you how to easily update your HTC One X+ to Android 4.4 KitKat firmware by installing the new Pure AOSP custom ROM. This software is a ported version of the stock Android 4.4 system so it will be similar with the OTA update that will be rolled out for the Nexus devices. That means you can flash a stock and pure KitKat firmware on your One X Plus without dealing with HTC’s own UI, or HTC’s pre installed features and apps.

Since this is a custom ROM and not an official update released by HTC or Google for your One X+, for being able to install the Android 4.4 KitKat based Pure AOSP firmware you will have to prepare your handset first. The update operation implies in using some programs that aren’t official, which makes this tutorial complex and risky. That’s why you shouldn’t apply things without consulting the steps from below as you don’t want to end up in bricking your smartphone.

First off all you need to know that this version of Pure AOSP software is still in development stage. That means there are still things to improve and that those of xda-developers are hardly working into providing a stable platform based on pure KitKat for your HTC One X Plus. Anyway, the ROM can flashed for a daily use, so you have nothing to worry about. Now, according to those who have tested the Pure AOSP Android 4.4 update on the One X+ here is what isn’t working as expected: there as some problems with the data as you need to manually type APN in settings, Bluetooth isn’t working for now, you can’t use the camera, GPS needs some minor improvements, you can experience random reboots, and the icons size is abnormal but not that disturbing.

Don’t worry, as the devs are working to resolve these bugs, so a stable variant of Android 4.4 KitKat for your HTC One X+ will soon be provided. Until then, you can use the present variant of Pure AOSP for testing the latest apps, features and capabilities released by Google on your own Android based handset. Of course, all the other stuffs that haven’t been mentioned above are working perfectly, so you can safely apply the firmware on your phone.

Anyway, if you have decided to complete this step by step guide, then you should know that first you have unlock your phone. So, use our suitable guides and learn how to unlock the bootloader of your One X+, how to root and also how to install CWM recovery on your X+. Be careful when applying the mentioned procedures as all are unofficial procedures, so you shouldn’t perform things without using compatible step by step guides.

Also, and as expected by gaining root access and by unlocking the bootloader of your handset the warranty will get void. This is happening because you are removing the factory and default restrictions. You need to do it because the Pure AOSP ROM will have to access some inbuilt programs and apps from your phone – as you can already tell this access can be granted only via root. Good; now, after gaining root access you need to install a custom recovery image. The present Android 4.4. KitKat based firmware has been flashed on the HTC One X+ that was installed with CWM recovery so I recommend you to use only the mentioned custom recovery image when trying to apply the Pure AOSP custom ROM software – the system can’t be updated by using any other custom recovery.

A backup is also recommended since a wipe will be required on the flashing process. Without wiping the system and without clearing the cache you will not be able to use the ROM on your device. So, in order to keep what’s important for you in safe hands, I strongly recommending you to use suitable apps for backing up everything that you might need afterwards. Also, consider in making a Nandroid backup for saving the current ROM too; if you will not like the Pure AOSP Android 4.4 KitKat firmware, then you will be able to safely restore the stock Android OS on your HTC One X Plus.

Good, now make sure that you can access a computer, on which you have previously disabled the antivirus, antimalware and Firewall protection. On your phone you have to go to “menu -> settings -> developer option” for enabling the USB debugging option while if the battery status is indicating less than 50% power left, you should plug in the charger before going any further. Also, and quite important: don’t apply this tutorial if you own a similar or different handset; the steps from below are compatible only with the improved version of the HTC One X, which of course is the HTC One X+.

How to Update HTC One X+ to Android 4.4 KitKat with Pure AOSP Custom ROM Firmware

Return to recovery and choose “install zip from SD card” and then select “chooze zip from SD card”.

Pick the firmware file and flash the ROM on your handset.

Return, pick the Google Apps package and install the same.

Finally, in the end from recovery select “+++go back+++” and “reboot system now”.

Done; enjoy Android 4.4 KitKat on your HTC One X Plus.

Perfect, you have completed our dedicated step by step guide. So, now you know how to update your HTC One X+ to Android 4.4 KitKat by installing the test version of Pure AOSP custom ROM firmware. Remember that this is not the stable variant of the software so you will be experiencing some minor bugs. Anyway, you can anytime restore the stock firmware – only if you have made a Nandroid backup as recommended before – by rebooting into recovery mode once more.